The Spirit of Christmas

I am so happy that it is the Christmas season. This is one of my favorite times of the year; a time when the world remembers the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. I love my Savior, and know that the Lord let Him come to Earth to Redeem all mankind. I want to testify that I know that He lives, and that He loves each and every one of us, no matter our status, situation, or circumstance. We are all His Children.

I light of this season, most special above all, I am putting 2 links to wonderful Christmas videos. If you have time, please watch them. They are filled with His Spirit. I love my Savior, Jesus Christ and all that He has done for me. I glory in His strength and love. I know that the Book of Mormon and Bible are living testaments of Him, and are scripture for us today. I know that President Thomas S. Monson, His prophet for His church today, leads and guides us in righteousness and by the authority given him by God. I testify of the truth of these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PURToRRq7gM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXXwtFWpAI8

Extra Treats

Okay, so these are pictures actually from way back at Thanksgiving when I went with Austin to spend Thanksgiving holiday with his family. The pictures with the fountain in the background were taken at Casa Bonita, a restaurant with cliff divers inside, a mariachi band...the works. It was really neat to go and experience everything with such a wonderful family that I get the privilege to be a part of soon! :)

This is Austin's family outside of the fountain. From left to right: Ryan, Sister Palmer, Britta, Austin, Denya, Blake, and Brother Palmer. What a great group! :)

It's been snowing a LOT here in Rexburg lately...hmm...I think the weather is trying to tell us it's close to Christmas!!! :) I can't wait to be home, but it IS fun to see all the snow (for a little while). One night when Austin was over, I went outside and wrote this in the snow...I love my fiancé!!! :)

Sorry that the pictures on Blogger don't ever post in the right order...(sigh) oh well. This is a picture of downtown Denver, in case any of you were wondering. :)

And THIS is the scenery for pretty much 1/4 of the drive from Rexburg to Denver. The other 3/4 looks just like the drive from Texas to Utah...flat. With some rocks occasionally, but mostly flat. Oh, but there were a few little rolling hills...and some pioneer wagon tracks (but I wasn't fast enough to get a picture of those). :( Hope you enjoy these extra pictures! :)

Christmastime

Okay, so this post is for you, Momma! :) This is Christmastime in good ol' Rexburg, USA. Freezing, but fun. :) Here is a picture of Austin and I, enjoying being engaged! :)

Janessa and I in front of the Christmas tree Momma got me for Christmastime away from home my freshman year away at college. Tis the season to be jolly! :)

This is (from left to right): Nikol, me, and Sarah. :) You can't see the Christmas tree in this shot, but it's there...right behind my head... :)

A better shot of Nikol and Sarah with our apartment Christmas tree. :)

I thought I would include this picture too...I love nativity sets! :) This season is one of celebration after all, because it marks the birth of the Savior who chose to atone for everyone so that we could return to live with our Father again someday. I know that Christ lives, and that He atoned for our sins. I know that He will gather us to Him, and strengthen us as we continually turn to Him in humility. I love my Savior, and my God. I am so happy every Christmas because I know that Christ made possible our salvation through His perfect life. I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is His church today on the earth. I know that Thomas Monson is His prophet helping to guide His church today on earth. I bear witness of these truths in the name of my Lord, even Jesus Christ. Amen.

Cleaning...

Last night was my apartment's White Glove cleaning marathon. We had our apartment checked this morning to make sure that everything was SPOTLESS (and I do mean spotless). So...I was up until 4:30 this morning cleaning my room and the apartment bathroom, and packing almost all my stuff away to come home!

I was the first to go to bed, because the kitchen was taking a little bit longer. However, there was a ward party at Craigo's pizza this morning at 10 (our White Glove check was at 8 am). NEEDLESS to say, I did not go...I was way too tired!

Today I am instead just studying for finals this next week. Since I haven't blogged in a while, I thought I would take care of that as well. :) I hope that everyone is doing well this weekend, and that everyone hopefully got more sleep than I have! :)

I'M ENGAGED!!! (Part 2)

The ring again! He has such good taste in jewelry! :) I'm kinda partial to this ring he seemed to have on hand today...what do you think?

My wonderful fiance! Don't you think we look good together? :) :) :)

These signs greeted me when Austin and I got back from dinner tonight! How sweet!

These sidewalk-chalk drawings also attracted my attention. I have such great roommates!

I said "YES!" Goodnight, y'all! :D

I'M ENGAGED!!!!

Austin proposed to me this afternoon outside of the Rexburg Temple, and I said "yes!" Here are a few pictures of the ring and my sweet fiance! :)

He employed the services of my roommates and best friend Taylor Bluth to blindfold me and walk me up to the temple around 4:30 this afternoon. When they sat me down on a bench outside the temple, he leaned in and pulled off the blindfold. The first thing I saw was Austin Palmer standing with a bottle of Apple Cider Bubbly and five pink heart balloons. :) He had a little book with the lyrics of our song, "Love Story" sung by Taylor Swift. After reading me the book (which had pictures of us in it), he got down on one knee in front of me AND PROPOSED!!! After I said "yes," he took me out to dinner at Red Robin, and then back home. While we were gone, he had my roommates decorate the outside of my door (to the apartment) with signs, and sidewalk chalk the front entryway. I'll post some more pictures of that later. For now we are just enjoying a wonderful evening together! :)

Elder Oaks Devotional

This week I have been so busy, but I just wanted to share a wonderful experience that I had this week.

This past Tuesday in the Hart Auditorium, Elder Dallin H. Oaks talked for our University Devotional. I was of course SO EXCITED because he is one of my favorite apostles to hear from. Luckily I was able to get tickets for the bleachers in the Hart at the last minute (most students had to sit elsewhere, because tickets were only available through a lottery system when you registered for tickets) - my roommates and I got some of the very last tickets.

I settled down to listen, and loved the devotional. Elder Oaks talked about religious freedom under the United States Constitution. He quoted the first Amendment in the Bill of Rights under the Constitution stating that "the United States shall have no law prohibiting the free exercise of religion." He stated that religious freedom and the exercise thereof were the very origin and existence of America and its foundation. The most important topic of his talk was about conditions we will face in our lives. He stated that one of the most dangerous circumstances we will face is the "silencing [of] religious voices in the public square." He stated that our nation has become, and will continue to become more and more secular and antagonistic. He recognized that there are many forces that reject the authority and power of God. They favor laws that will grow to infringe on religion and its liberties.
Elder Oaks addressed the growing threat of atheism in our society - he stated statistics that recognized this idea that man does not have, and does not need, a God has become the "4th biggest 'religion' in the world." His words illustrated a growing, anti-religious movement in our nation that he described as "bigotrous."
He addressed conflicting issues encompassed by the First Amendment: marriage and adoption, religious universities available (such as BYU-Idaho), and the prohibiting of discrimination against those of certain religions. The biggest subject under this was the recent Proposition 8 conflict in California. He asserted that the biggest clash would be between the people's ideas of "equal rights" as opposed to "religious rights." He instructed us that religious freedom needs defending against "human rights" today; that we need to do everything in our power to legally take a stand as advocates for the values and standards and morals of our church and our lives.
He commanded that we not lose voice in the public square; he promised that if we did, we would also lose religious freedom. We all should have the protection and rights inalienable to all flesh.
He gave us five points of conduct to follow to enhance our religious freedom, and here I quote:

1) Speak with love, always showing patience, love, and compassion to all.
2) Don't be deterred or coerced into silence by those who are determined against you- protect your constitutional rights, especially when concerned with moral issues.
3)Insist on your freedom to preach the doctrine of our faith - the law of chastity has never been revoked or changed - the eternal relationship of marriage as only being between one man and one woman is the same today as in the past.
4) As advocates of truth, we must be wise in our political involvement - act legally and wisely; we can be most persuasive by framing arguments that are understandable by those who don't share our beliefs and understanding.
5) Be careful to NEVER support or subscribe to other beliefs in order to obtain a political office - religion should not be a political campaign.

His talk was marvelous. He had opened it saying that he would be careful in what he said, as he knew that the audience of the broadcasts of Devotional would be broad, and that their opinions would be many. I loved the devotional, but it turned out that Elder Oaks was right. Apparently news broadcasts of a "ridiculous Mormon sermon" were circulated almost immediately afterwards, and areas around here have admitted offense to Elder Oaks testimony of religious freedom. However, I felt the spirit of truth in his words, and want to add my testimony of the divinity of the message that he delivered to us this past Tuesday afternoon.

After he delivered his talk, I had the marvelous chance to meet Elder Oaks and his wife. Many, many students lined up in the auditorium for the chance to shake his hand. Though the line was long, the wait was a quick one. I almost cried to look into the smiling face of an apostle of the Lord, and see the strength and beauty of the spirit of God that he carried with him. It was an experience that I will never forget - that I hope won't ever leave me. I bear witness that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the restored church of Christ here upon the earth today, with the fullness of the gospel attendant in it. I bear witness of the truth of modern-day prophets and apostles who help to guide Christ's church, and direct His people in these latter days. I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God, and that we live under an inspired government lead by the Hand of God. I know these things are true, and I bear solemn witness of them in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Weekend of Leah! :)

I had to start out with a picture of Taylor, because she was not able to come over this weekend. She had the Flu!!! :( We definitely missed her smiling face...so Leah and I baked chocolate chip cookies, and took the very first batch over to her to make it more of a TML party.
Here are the three of us! :) We had such a great time, even though one of us was a sickie (hence the blanket).
Here is Leah and me after dinner Friday night. We were being silly (well, we were silly pretty much the whole weekend). Best friends forever!!! :)
Yay! Leah went with me to my ward yesterday before she left on the 2 pm bus out of Rexburg. We had such a good time...talking, laughing, and simply enjoying each others friendship. Now it's back to the grindstone...welcome to Monday!

A Weekend of Friendship Fun

Yep, that is right! Leah will be here visiting Taylor and me for the weekend in approximately four more hours!!! :) I am SO excited to spend some time catching up! I'll make sure to take pictures to blog later. I hope everyone else has a great weekend (full of sunshine)! :) We just keep getting more and more rain...actually, as I'm looking out the window, I think the rain is turning into snow....
(Sigh) oh well, we will enjoy the cold! :)

Me!

Okay, I'm not a fictional character...I am alive and well here in Rexburg. :) SO, upon request, here is the picture that I had Sarah take of me to prove my healthy existence up here in Idaho taken in Janessa and Sarah's room! :)

Stuff Left Out

Sorry, I left out the (smaller) bathroom, and the different-style closet that I have here at school. Here are some more pictures of my apartment! :)

Apartment Tour!

To the right is the front doorway. To the left continues our hallway to the bathroom and bedrooms. This apartment is the flipped version of my old apartment.
My chair! :) A favorite piece of furniture in the living room.
More living room.
My doorway into my room. Mine is the left bedroom.
My closet with special notes from a few special girls! :)
My room! Mine is the bed on the right. :) You can see my backpack and bag for my classes and books on the poster of the bed.

Yellowstone (Part 1)

This is runoff from the Midway Geyser basin. It was a beautiful view, I just had to take several pictures!
Another view in the Midway Geyser Basin. These walkways (the new ones) were mostly made of a certain type of plastic wooden board, so that they would not erode under the extreme heat as fast as regular wood. Around all the hot springs we visited were walkways around the geysers (like you see here).
Austin and I in front of the runoff.
More pictures...
This shows a little more ideally how the hot water was running into the stream. On the bridge (where I took this picture), it had a sign "No Swimming." I don't think ANYONE could want to swim in THAT...even if it was pretty!
Another picture.
The Spasm Geyser.
This geyser is called Spasm Geyser. It kept going the entire time we were walking up to it, while we were looking at it, and as we were walking away. Pretty cool, I thought!
This is me at the geyser known as The Fumarole.
Most of the hot spring pools had names, however, either I didn't get a picture of the name of this pool (which is not likely...I took a TON!), or it was just unnamed...which is what I think happened. But it sure looked neat, so I thought I would post it.
This was a bacteria mat at one of the first stops we visited after entering the park. Pretty crazy-looking, isn't it?
Isn't it gorgeous out here? This is my wonderful boyfriend Austin, who took me out here to Yellowstone for a wonderful date idea!!! :) It was so fun to visit the park!
This is the big bull elk that was with the other doe elk. Here he is crossing over a small part of a river to the little island in the middle.
Another good shot of the bull elk. I couldn't believe I was able to get such great shots!
A close-up of the bison. Pretty cool, huh? :)
We saw quite a few animals when we first got into the park...and you can get really close!! This is just to show how close people actually got to the animals. You can see the bison and elk in the background.